The basic contractarian idea is that ethical obligations originate in mutual agreements or contracts between people. Moral duties are similar to the terms and conditions we sign up to when opening a bank account.
The thinking here is this. Each of us has his or her own interests. We are perfectly entitled to pursue
these, but in most situations we can benefit from the help of others. Others will find it attarctive to help
so long as they get some kind of help in return. Hence mutual cooperation is in all of our interests. It is
best for everyone. In cooperating we make agreements, and it is these agreements that bring ethical
obligations into being.
Such agreements need not be formally entered into like commercial contracts. They may be implicit in people\u2019s considered behaviour. Even so, non-human animals cannot make agreements. They lack the understanding and control needed to enter a contractual arrangement.
As a result, animals neither create nor have moral duties. We, however, may have indirect ethical
obligations towards animals, because they can matter to other humans. If you have agreed with a
family that you will look after their cat while they visit relatives in Canada, you should do just that.
Hence, the cat is indirectly protected by your agreement.
\u201cWe should care about animal welfare, because consumers demand it and we want to sell products.\u201d
\u201cAs far as possible one should avoid using cats, dogs, monkeys and other sensitive species for research,
because the general public objects.\u201d
Killing animals (e.g. for food) may be justified if the
farming conditions are not detrimental to animal welfare
and the killing is humanely performed.
\u201cModern animal production is problematic because there is
a negative effect on animal welfare which is not
counterbalanced by the human benefits.\u201d
\u201cSome animal research may be justified by its vital
importance, as it may enable us to find cures for alleviate
painful diseases.\u201d
\u201cIt is sometimes better for stray cats to be euthanased, as
they would otherwise live very poor lives. The remaining
stray cat population may benefit as well, because there will
be less competition for food.\u201d
#59 Don't farmers have to kill pests? for ANIMAL RIGHTS THOUGHTS (Whole Text)
Instructor:ANDREW C. Y. FEI
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
NTU
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